Spring Walks Calendar – 2017

April

Sunday 2nd April: Qrendi – Zurrieq and the surrounding countryside

Duration:about 3 to 4 hours Rating:ModerateMeeting Place:Qrendi – in front of the Chapel at Il-MaqlubaTime:09:00

Sunday 9th: Naxxar to Baħar iċ-Cagħaq (Scenic)

This is dedicated to Hugh Pace who had originally led this walk. We will be following the Victoria Lines with views from a high vantage point, coming back along country lanes. There will be rough terrain and steep inclines, which could be slippery, if wet.

This is a straight walk along the busy coastline between Floriana and finishing at Bahar ic Caghaq. It is not a circular walk but one may catch the bus back from the finishing point or opt to catch the bus anywhere along the route.

A special Easter treat exclusively organised for the Ramblers to visit the Botanical Collections of the University of Malta at the Argotti Gardens. The leading authority of the Botanical faculty will be explaining the special species grown and preserved there and give other information about the exotic plants at the time of spring when the plants are at their best. A fee of €5 will be payable by the participants whose numbers will be restricted. Applications will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Booking opens on 1st April and last calls will be received by Wednesday 12th April. A rare opportunity not to be missed.

Duration:2 hoursRating:Very easy and short so that all participants will be back home by noon for the Easter lunch.Meeting place: Sarria Church, FlorianaTime:09.00 sharp.

Sunday 23rd: Kirkop – Mqabba – Qrendi – Kirkop (Historical-Cultural)

From Kirkop Parish Square we walk along the outskirts of the village and proceed to Tar-Robba, then through Mqabba and on to Qrendi, passing by a number of interesting historical sites. The walk will also include a visit to the recently restored Mqabba “Plague Hospital”

Wednesday 26th: Around Zebbug and Siggiewi (NEW!)

Meeting Place: the ex-Peridot Hall in Zebbug (at the bottom of the hill on your way to Siggiewi)

Time: 14:00

Rating: Moderate

Duration: up to 3 hrs

Sunday 30th: Żejtun-Marsaxlokk-Żejtun. (Scenic and historical).

A fairly-long circular walk covering urban and rural features such as old residencies, alleys, chapels, forts, old hamlets, cliffs, and others. The walk is in three parts: the first one is urban, the second is rural and coastal, and the third is urban on returning to Żejtun from the Ħal Biżbud side. Ramblers are urged to refrain from running ahead or lagging behind during this interesting walk. So please keep close as a group for the benefit of all participants. A 10-15 minute break will be taken near one of the features being visited.

Duration:Approximately 5 hours.Rating:Moderate to hard (mainly because of the length) with some inclines.Meeting Place:Near Żejtun Parish Church of St Catherine.Time:09:00

29th April to 6th May: Catalunya Trekking Festival in Spain

May

From Mellieha Park and Drive we head down to Mistra Valley past an ancient apiary then onto Mistra Bay. We walk up past Mistra Battery than we cut across to Fort Campbell down through the countryside to Mgiebeh (Selmun Bay). After a much needed rest at Selmun Bay we head along the coast up to il- Kortin and back to our starting point.

The walk will take us downhiil Wied Girgenti, thru the green valley of Wied Il-Luq, uphill along the wooded fringes of Buskett Gardens towards the garrigue plain with spectacular views and a wild array of shallow coralline quarries and many lesser visited cart ruts. From here we cross in front of Ta’ Zuta quarry to Wied Girgenti downhill to the Sanctuary.

Duration: about 3 hours

Rating: some easy, mostly moderate

Meeting Place: Siggiewi parish church

Meeting time: 1:30p.m.

Sunday 14th May: COMINO – A coastal walk around Comino

An interesting and scenic tour of the smallest of the Maltese Islands visiting the historical sites and geological features. There is no shade, so come prepared. Bring a packed lunch and swim wear (optional).

The ferry boat ride to and from Comino will carry a fee of €10, payable on the spot to committee members so that all ramblers leave together. Please be on time at 08:30 hrs to get the tickets.

Duration:5 hours. Ferry back at about 2 p.m. (option to catch later ferry)Rating:Moderate with rough groundMeeting Place:Cirkewwa near Comino ferry boatsTime:08:30 to leave at 08:45.

Sunday 21st May: There will be two walks being offered today.

RESTRICTED WALK : Walking Along the Fault
Many have heard of the famous Rift Valley in Africa but few people know that we have something similar here in Malta. We shall be following the edge of the fault and will locate geological features which are typical. The walk is along rugged cliffs and is not for the faint-hearted; it is hard and one must be sure-footed and have a good head for heights.This walk is restricted to a small limited number on a first come, first accepted basis. Time and meeting place will be communicated individually by email. The walk may be repeated in future should there be demand.
This walk is to be considered as a hard one because of the rough terrain.To book send an email (not an SMS) with the subject –Walking along the Fault – to ram205@gmail.com. Booking opens on the 10th of May. Kindly note that any emails arriving before the 10th of May will be ignored.

Bahar ic-Caghaq – Pembroke – Madliena (Scenic / Cultural)An interesting walk through the British Garrison of Pembroke visiting some very interesting sites and buildings before heading for the Madliena Heights and then back down to Bahar ic-Caghaq.Duration:About 3 hrsRating:Moderate but with sections of rough terrain and some inclines.Meeting Place:Bahar ic-Caghaq by the Ice Cream Kiosk.Time:09:00

Dr George Cassar will be leading the cultural tour to three very interesting sites on the northwest outskirts of Mosta.

The tour will start with a guided visit to the Bistra catacombs, which have recently been given an expertly face-lift to make them accessible to the public. A new interpretation centre as well as a very modern and up-to-date protective marquee have been built to envelope the surprising remains which few know of. The modern set-up was possible through funds coming from the EU. (An entrance fee of €3 will be charged on site)

The walk will then proceed to the Speranza chapel, which will be opened for our visit to witness the rich decoration of the interior baroque. The chapel has been a site of devotion towards Our Lady of Hope for centuries and consequently always kept in a good state of preservation. It was reputedly built on the underlying cave where a maiden tending sheep sought cover from marauding corsairs during one of their raids on Malta during the time of the Knights.

Trekking down through valley is impossible due to the wild vegetation so the shortest route is taken to the chapel of St Paul the Hermit that lies in the depth of the valley inside a large cave. The ramblers have often passed by the chapel but this time round the chapel will again be opened for the occasion and the primordial chapel preceding the existing one explained. Once down in the valley the hardy ramblers can climb visit to the lesser known paleo-christian tomb dug in the rock face in the vicinity.

Time: 2.45pmMeeting Place: Bus Stop at San Guzepp tat-Targa, at junction of the entrance to the Gnien l-Gharusa tal-Mosta, Mosta.Duration: 3-4 hoursGrading: Easy.

Sunday 28th May: Gozo

From Mgarr (Gozo), we will take the scenic route to Qala Belveder, passing by il-Mithna, which will lead us down to the valley and bay of Dahlet Qorrot. Crossing this valley past many citrus trees, will take us to the outskirts of Nadur and back to the ferry. We will meet several troglodyte caves on our way and those who are more adventurous, can explore them at will.

Duration:From 3 to 4 hours (walking)Rating:Moderate but with sections of rough terrain.Meeting Place:Take the 08:15 ferry from Cirkewwa.Time:The walk will be starting from Mgarr Harbour at 08:45.

Our very interesting circular walk leads us through parts of the valley of the Chadwick Lakes (Wied Qlejja), uphill to the Dwejra Lines and downhill back to the starting point. Rural landscape with deep valleys and fertile farmland. Good view.

Duration:Approximately 2-3 hours.Rating:Easy to Moderate with some inclines.Meeting Place:Mosta Parish ChurchTime:16:00 (Please note the change in the starting time)

June

Sunday 4th June: Dingli Area (Scenic)

This scenic walk along Dingli Cliffs will take us past the radar station towards Bobbyland restaurant and the surrounding area. Please note the earlier meeting time due to the summer heat.

From the “Bella Vista Hotel” at Qawra, we walk through the important Salina National Park, pass by the Birdpark and the chapel of St. Michael. At Burmarrad, we visit the famous Church of San Pawl Milqi. Then, our tour leads us uphill to Bidnija. We pass the Parish Church and go downhill to the outskirts of Mosta and through the fertile fields back to the starting point. This beautiful landscape is of great historical importance for the Roman period in Malta.

Sunday 18th June:Five Wayside-Chapels Trail(Scenic/ Geological)

As the name suggests, we will be passing by these five wayside chapels which unfortunately will surely be closed. Along the way we will pass through a deep valley, by collapsed bridges, along a wider plain with a feature called “Risq il-Widien”. Catacombs, Beehives, Hard-stone Quarries and Cart-ruts will be viewed on this circular walk.

From the centre of Luqa, we walk through rural farmland to Santa Lucija where we visit the Chinese Garden and the Garden of Serenity. From there, we ramble on, surrounded by fertile fields to the Chapel of Santa Lucija and at Ghaxaq, to the Torri Kalamija and the Chapel of Christus. Then, our very interesting tour leads us via the centres of Ghaxaq and Gudja to the chapel of Santa Marija ta’ Bir Miftuh and back to the starting point at Luqa.

Duration:3 to 4 hrs Rating:Easy to moderate with some inclinesMeeting Place:Luqa Parish ChurchTime:16:00

Wednesday 12th July: Dingli, Buskett, Dingli (Scenic and historical)

From the centre of Dingli, we walk to the village of Buskett, where we visit the famous sites of Clapham Junction (cart ruts) and of Ghar il-Kbir (cave dwellings). After that, we walk through a rustic landscape to the entrance of Girgenti Palace (Inquisitor’s Palace) and then along Dingli Cliffs, passing by the Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalen, back to the starting point.

Duration:2 to 3 hrs Rating:Easy to Moderate with some inclines.Meeting Place:Dingli Parish ChurchTime:16:00

Our circular tour leads us from Attard to the centre of Lija and its Paris Church, then through fertile fields to Mosta, where we pass by the Pama Shopping Village and soon reach the Mosta Parish Church with its magnificent dome. We walk back to Attard via Ta’ Qali. The view over the landscape is especially good near Lija and at Ta’ Qali.

Duration:2 to 3 hrsRating:Easy to Moderate with some inclines.Meeting Place:Attard Parish Church.Time:16:00